Since we’re left to speculating about what teams will do after the lockout, it will pass the test for now. But since the Pistons were reportedly shopping Richard Hamilton at the last trading deadline — any moves were killed by the impending sale of the team — it should be no surprise they will shop him around after the lockout.

He’s owed roughly $21 million over the next two seasons, as the second year is only partially guaranteed. And remember president of basketball operations Joe Dumars has almost traded Hamilton several times when the financial burden was greater.

So Hamilton, 33, will be on the trading block as soon as regular business begins in the NBA, and the Pistons need to eventually turn the page to the next era. Hamilton might be more valuable as potential trade bait whenever the next trade deadline comes.

Hamilton still has some value on the court — he can shoot the three, he can still hit a midrange coming off a screen. On a team where he is a third or fourth option and not the guy the defenses watch — or as a scorer coming off the bench — he could help a contending team. The question is: What would teams really give up to get that?

Probably not that much, but as it is time for the Pistons to rebuild any picks or young players they get can help build the future.

Detroit is going to blow it up and get rid of the terrible contracts they’ve got. They’re probably going to suck and acquire high draft picks. How high is up to the league, since the NBA lottery is fixed.

Hey, at least people actually care about Detroit unlike Toronto or Minnesota, so they might actually be able to get the first pick.